Larry Greene Stats & Scouting Report

AB	601
AVG	.203
OBP	.293
SLG	.295
HR	6

Full name Larry James Greene
Born 02/10/1993 in Valdosta, GA
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 235 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School Barrien County
Drafted in the C-A round (39th overall) by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011 (signed for $1,000,000).

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Greene isn't quite one-dimensional, but it's close. He's a physical beast at 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, and one evaluator compared his power to that of Russell Branyan, another south Georgia lefthanded hitter. Green was dominating and putting on huge power displays against modest pitching, pushing himself into first-round consideration. However, scouts who saw him last summer recall he struggled mightily with velocity at the East Coast Pro Showcase. Greene is somewhat stiff but is an average runner, which should give him a chance to play left field, but some scouts think he'll wind up as more of a first base/DH type. Greene's value is mostly in his bat and well above-average raw power. He's likely to put on a display in individual workouts for teams prior to the draft.

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A physically imposing presence with a barrel chest and thick lower half, Greene attracted the attention of Alabama football coach Nick Saban as a linebacker. But Greene knew his future was in baseball, and after breaking his ankle on the gridiron the year before, he didn't play football as a high school senior. The Phillies took him 39th overall in 2011 and signed him away from a commitment to Chipola (Fla.) JC for $1 million. A groin tweak delayed his debut, and Greene didn't prepare himself physically for the demands of pro baseball last spring. After getting in shape in extended spring training, he spent the summer with Williamsport. Greene's value is mostly tied to his power bat. He has worked on shortening his path to the ball and using the middle of the diamond. Though he struck out 78 times in 70 games, he's not a free swinger. He's learning to identify secondary pitches, but he's not afraid to work deep counts and also drew 41 walks. The Phillies were pleased with the progress Greene made defensively in left field last summer. He's an average runner with an average arm, and he moves well for his size. He'll make the jump to low Class A in 2013.
Greene had an offer to play linebacker for Alabama's football team and committed to play baseball Chipola (Fla.) JC. He turned down both after the Phillies drafted him 39th overall last June and offered him $1 million. Greene generated some first-round buzz with his incredible raw power and batting-practice displays during the spring, though struggles with premium velocity on the showcase circuit and an injured ankle during his senior year slightly dropped his stock. He draws comparisons to Russell Branyan, another lefthanded power hitter from south Georgia, and Philadelphia likens his total package to Jonathan Singleton, the key to the Hunter Pence trade with the Astros last July. The difference is that Greene offers more power and is a better defender than Singleton, if not as polished a hitter. Greene played center field in high school but fits better in left with his fringy speed and average arm. He didn't see game action during instructional league because he had a groin injury. He likely will start 2012 in extended spring training.